Takeda Mayuko, Kujirai Keiko, Takahashi Masahiro, Hatanaka Reina, Koizumi So, Hikita Yu, Yamaguchi Tetsutaro
Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Kanagawa Dental University, Yokosuka, JPN.
Cureus. 2025 Mar 5;17(3):e80118. doi: 10.7759/cureus.80118. eCollection 2025 Mar.
Objectives This study investigated correlations between facial asymmetry and left-right differences in maxillary sinus size and volume, as well as their relationships with skeletal morphology. Methods The participants were 154 Japanese adults (56 men, 98 women) aged 18 to 38 years (mean age, 24.1 ± 5.3 years). Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were analyzed using InVivo™ 6 software (Anatomage, Inc., San Jose, CA, USA). Facial asymmetry was assessed at six landmarks: orbitale, condylion, and gonion (all bilateral); anterior nasal spine; deepest point in bony concavity (B point); and menton (at midline). Maxillary sinus height, width, length, and volume were measured. Participants were classified into skeletal classes (I, II, III) and vertical growth patterns (horizontal, average, vertical). Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationships of these six facial asymmetry landmarks with differences in maxillary sinus linear measurements and volume. Results The facial asymmetry index was positively correlated with maxillary sinus length in the condylion region and height in the gonion region. As left-sided facial deviation increased, the right maxillary sinus became larger; conversely, as right-sided facial deviation increased, the left maxillary sinus became larger. Thus, the maxillary sinus on the nondeviated side tends to be larger. Vertical facial growth patterns showed greater maxillary sinus height and volume in the vertical growth group than in the average growth group. Conclusions Asymmetry in specific facial regions may be associated with region-specific variations in maxillary sinus morphology, and vertical skeletal patterns may influence maxillary sinus development. These findings offer insights into the relationship between facial asymmetry and maxillary sinus structure.
目的 本研究调查面部不对称与上颌窦大小和体积的左右差异之间的相关性，以及它们与骨骼形态的关系。方法 参与者为154名18至38岁的日本成年人（56名男性，98名女性），平均年龄为24.1±5.3岁。使用InVivo™ 6软件（美国加利福尼亚州圣何塞的Anatomage公司）分析锥形束计算机断层扫描（CBCT）图像。在六个标志点评估面部不对称：眶点、髁突点和角点（均为双侧）；前鼻棘；骨凹陷最深点（B点）；以及颏下点（在中线处）。测量上颌窦的高度、宽度、长度和体积。参与者被分为骨骼类型（I类、II类、III类）和垂直生长模式（水平、平均、垂直）。使用Spearman等级相关系数评估这六个面部不对称标志点与上颌窦线性测量值和体积差异之间的关系。结果 面部不对称指数与髁突区域的上颌窦长度和角点区域的高度呈正相关。随着左侧面部偏斜增加，右侧上颌窦变大；相反，随着右侧面部偏斜增加，左侧上颌窦变大。因此，未偏斜侧的上颌窦往往更大。垂直面部生长模式显示，垂直生长组的上颌窦高度和体积大于平均生长组。结论 特定面部区域的不对称可能与上颌窦形态的区域特异性变化有关，垂直骨骼模式可能影响上颌窦发育。这些发现为面部不对称与上颌窦结构之间的关系提供了见解。
